Valencia Marathon 2026: complete guide with route, bib, shoes and nutrition
The Valencia Trinidad Alfonso Zurich 2026 Marathon takes place on Sunday, December 6, with the start and finish at the City of Arts and Sciences. It will be the 46th edition of one of the fastest marathons in the world and, for thousands of runners, the major goal of the entire season.
But a marathon in Valencia is much more than 42.195 kilometers. For many runners, it means a multi-day trip: picking up their race bib, going for a final easy run, choosing carefully where to eat the day before, and, after crossing the finish line, celebrating as it deserves.
At BeUrban, we have prepared a complete guide so you can arrive on Sunday with everything sorted: what you need to know about the race, what shoes to wear depending on your pace, how to plan your nutrition, where to run on Saturday, and where to eat and celebrate in Valencia.
Valencia Marathon 2026: the first thing you need to know
| Date | Sunday, December 6, 2026 |
| Edition | 46th |
| Start and finish | City of Arts and Sciences |
| Distance | 42.195 km |
| Profile | Flat, at sea level |
| Race bib collection | Expo 42K at Feria Valencia, from Thursday, December 3 to Saturday, December 5 |
Unlike the Half Marathon, which starts from the Avenue dels Tarongers, the Marathon has its start and finish at the City of Arts and Sciences. This detail completely changes how you plan the weekend: how to get to the start and where to go for your final run.
There is another piece of information worth keeping in mind: December 6, 2026 falls on a Sunday and Tuesday the 8th is a public holiday. The race coincides with the December holiday break, so the city will be crowded and restaurants will book up earlier than usual.
Always check the official race website to confirm the start time, your start corral, and any last-minute changes.
How to pick up your race bib at the Expo 42K
Race bibs are collected at the Expo 42K at Feria Valencia (Benimàmet) during the three days before the race: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. You can find us right there at our stand with NIKE. Keep in mind that the fair is in the northwest of the city, far from the start.
The most convenient way to get there is the Tram Line 4, Fira València stop. Bring your documentation and proof of registration.
The course: why Valencia is so fast
Valencia is synonymous with personal bests. The course is practically flat, run at sea level, and in December the mornings are usually cool. It is an almost perfect combination for running fast, and that is why thousands of runners choose Valencia every year to try for their best time.
The finish line is one of the race's great attractions: the famous finish over the water at the City of Arts and Sciences, which every marathoner wants to cross at least once.
Now, just because the course is fast doesn't mean it is easy. The most common mistake in Valencia is starting too fast, pushed on by the atmosphere, the crowd, and the flat profile. The first few kilometers invite you to go faster than planned, and that comes due from kilometer 30 onwards.
Set your target pace before Sunday and stick to it for the first half. If you reach kilometer 30 with energy to spare, it will be time to push.
What shoes to wear at the Valencia Marathon depending on your pace
There is no perfect shoe for every runner. The best choice for Valencia depends on your goal, your weight, your experience, and, above all, how you have adapted to it during training. As a guide:
If you are looking to break 3 hours
At these paces, a racing shoe with a carbon plate and high-energy-return foam makes the difference. The most popular ones at fast marathons are the Nike Alphafly 4, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, and the ASICS Metaspeed.
It was precisely with an ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo that John Korir and Kibrab Awet won last year, as we reported in the shoes that defined the Valencia Marathon 2025. If you are torn between Alphafly generations, check out our Alphafly 4 vs Alphafly 3 comparison.
Between 3 and 4 hours
In this range, two types of shoes work very well: plated shoes with a bit more cushioning and versatile tempo models. Both provide pace without punishing your legs as much in the final kilometers.
The Nike Zoom Fly 6 is currently our best-selling shoe, and the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 is a more versatile alternative that many runners use for both training and racing.
More than 4 hours or your first marathon
You will spend many hours on your feet, so prioritize cushioning, stability, and comfort. Models like the ASICS Novablast 6, the Brooks Ghost, the New Balance 1080 v15, or the Hoka Bondi 9 are safe bets.
If you weigh more than 100 kg, we recommend reading our guide on what shoes to use if you weigh more than 100 kg.
And if you want to fine-tune things even further, check out our guide on choosing marathon shoes according to your weight and pace and our entire racing collection.
According to our expert Jesús Sepulcre: the best shoe is the one you already know
Every year, in the weeks leading up to Valencia, we see many runners in our store wanting to change shoes at the last minute because they have read that a certain model is faster. We understand, but it is not a good idea.
A plated shoe requires adaptation: it changes your foot strike, cadence, and the load on your calves and tendons. If you still do not have your racing shoes a month before the race, you still have time, but use them in at least two or three marathon-pace sessions and one long run. If you have not tried them a week before, run in the shoes you know.
Nutrition: gels and aid stations
In a marathon, glycogen runs out, and what you eat during the race largely determines how you feel at kilometer 35.
As a general guideline, many runners take in between 30 and 60 grams of carbohydrates per hour. The most trained can take in 90 or more if they have accustomed their gut during training. In practice, this usually means one gel every 30–45 minutes, accompanied by water.
Some tips for Sunday:
- Test your strategy during training, never for the first time during a race.
- Start taking gels early, before you feel tired.
- If you are not accustomed to caffeine, do not try it for the first time on race day.
- Bring your own gels: that way you do not depend on brands your stomach does not know.
You can read more in our article on how to supplement during a marathon and in our review of Maurten Gel Mix 480. You will find gels and electrolytes in our nutrition section.
According to our nutrition expert José Luis Mulero: the race starts on your plate in the days before
Many runners worry a lot about Sunday's gels and very little about what they eat on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. And the reality is that arriving with full glycogen stores is just as important as what you take during the race.
In the days leading up to the race, prioritize the carbohydrates you already know and that your stomach tolerates well, without experimenting with new dishes or very heavy meals the night before. Sunday breakfast should be something you have tried before your long runs, with plenty of time to spare before the start.
And during the race, the same as in training: the same gels, the same plan, and the same drink. Race day is not the time to improvise.
Where to run in Valencia the day before the marathon
The Saturday before a marathon is not the time to get to know Valencia by running kilometers. If you are used to doing a short shake-out run, these two areas are perfect for running very gently and adapting the distance to what your plan calls for.
Route 1: the old Turia Riverbed
The Turia Garden is the most iconic place to run in Valencia. The old riverbed crosses the city from west to east with more than nine kilometers of green spaces, practically flat and with different surfaces.
Inside the garden is the Circuit 5K Jardí del Turia, which goes from the vicinity of the Nou d’Octubre bridge to Gulliver Park: 5.731 meters paved for running, with a surface designed to reduce impact. Gulliver Park is right next to the City of Arts and Sciences, so you can do your Saturday run just a few meters from Sunday's start.
You do not need to run the whole thing: 20 or 30 very easy minutes, a few straightaways if they are part of your routine, and back to the hotel.
Route 2: Marina de Valencia + Malvarrosa beach
If you prefer running by the Mediterranean, the Marina de Valencia route runs along the inner harbor for about 2.85 kilometers. From there you can connect with the promenade and Malvarrosa beach, adding around 2.4 kilometers more.
It is an easy route to adapt on the fly and, in December, a very pleasant way to activate your legs in the morning sun without turning Saturday into another training session.
Where to eat during the Valencia Marathon weekend
A runner does not need to spend the weekend eating only white rice and chicken breast. The important thing before a marathon is not to experiment with foods or quantities you are not accustomed to and to ensure a good carbohydrate load in the days leading up to it, always according to your habits.
With the December holiday break, book a table in advance, especially for Saturday dinner.
Before the race
San Tommaso
Right in the historic center, on Corretgeria Street. Italian restaurant specializing in pizza and pasta, perfect for lunch on Friday or Saturday if you usually turn to pasta before competing. You can combine it with a leisurely walk through Ciutat Vella.
Santa Rita Valencia
Also in Ciutat Vella, another Italian option where it is easy to find simple pasta dishes for the pre-race dinner. If you plan to have dinner here on Saturday, book in advance: the city is crowded during the marathon weekend.
To celebrate after the finish line
Casa Carmela
Next to Malvarrosa, specializing in Valencian and Mediterranean cuisine, with rice dishes as the main attraction. It is our favorite post-race plan: cross the finish line, shower, and sit down by the Mediterranean to enjoy a paella.
Casa Bassa Restaurant
On Neptuno Promenade, an ideal option to combine with a walk through the Marina and the beach on Sunday afternoon or Monday of the holiday break.
Casa Baldo 1915
On Ribera Street, next to the Town Hall square. Mediterranean and Valencian cuisine, with rice dishes and tapas, to celebrate the marathon right in the center. Our recommendation: their cheesecake. After 42 kilometers, you have earned it.
The last week before the race
- Reduce training volume and maintain some short race-pace stimulus. More details in our guide on tapering and in the last 30 days before your race.
- Prepare your clothes and gear on Friday, not Saturday night.
- Check the forecast: December mornings can be cold at the start. An old t-shirt or a disposable rain jacket will help you stay warm while waiting in your corral.
- Plan how you are going to get to the start on Sunday. That day there will be thousands of runners moving at the same time and traffic cuts.
- Do not do sightseeing on your feet for hours on Saturday. Valencia invites you to walk, but save your legs for Sunday.
If your mind plays tricks on you in the final kilometers, you may be interested in our article on how to train mental fatigue in long distances.
According to our expert Alberto Navarro: the weekend is not the time to change anything
Marathon preparation does not end with the last quality workout. The hours leading up to it are also part of it.
Your shoes should be sufficiently tested, as should your socks, clothes, hydration strategy, or the products you will use during the race.
The same goes for the short Saturday run: it is not useful for gaining fitness 24 hours before the start. Its function is simply to activate the body and maintain usual sensations if it is part of your routine.
Prepare your marathon with us
If you are still unsure about shoes for Valencia, stop by our Valencia store. We will do a gait analysis and recommend the model that best fits your pace and goal, with enough time to try it before December 6.
And if you are going to the Expo 42K to pick up your race bib, come say hello at our stand with NIKE.
Frequently asked questions about the Valencia Marathon 2026
When is the Valencia Marathon 2026?
Sunday, December 6, 2026, with the start and finish at the City of Arts and Sciences.
Where do you pick up the Valencia Marathon race bib?
At the Expo 42K at Feria Valencia, from Thursday, December 3 to Saturday, December 5. You can get there on Tram Line 4, Fira València stop.
Where can I find BeUrban at the Expo 42K?
At our stand with NIKE inside the Expo 42K at Feria Valencia, during the three days of race bib collection.
Is the Valencia Marathon a fast course?
Yes. It is flat, run at sea level, and usually held in cool temperatures, which is why it is one of the fastest marathons in the world.
What shoes should I wear at the Valencia Marathon?
It depends on your goal: carbon-plated shoes for sub-3-hour times, versatile tempo models for between 3 and 4 hours, and maximum cushioning shoes if you are going to take more than 4 hours or it is your first marathon. Never try them for the first time on race day.
Where to run the day before the Valencia Marathon?
In the Turia Garden, especially on the Circuit 5K that ends next to Gulliver Park, or in the Marina and Malvarrosa promenade. 20 or 30 very easy minutes is enough.
Valencia, the city of running, awaits you
The Valencia Marathon 2026 can be the race of your life: a fast course, first-class organization, and an entire city devoted to the runners.
But remember that the race is on Sunday. You do not need to run the whole Turia on Friday or walk half the city on Saturday. Save your legs for the City of Arts and Sciences and leave part of Valencia for after you cross the finish line.
And when you do, tell us about it. Last year we analyzed the shoes that defined the Valencia Marathon 2025, and this year we will do it again.
